Protest planned after Massey stops Don Brash from speaking on campus

Massey students have organised a peaceful protest in
response to a decision to cancel a student organised event which featured
former politician Don Brash.

Students say by cancelling the event the university is putting
an “assault on free speech” and setting a “dangerous precedent”.

Brash was scheduled to speak to the Massey University Manawatū
Politics Society today at the Palmerston North campus, however, the event was cancelled after it was decided
the risk of harm to students was too high.

Students have now organised a protest, which is due to take
place on the university’s concourse from 11am.

On social media, student organisers of the protest said
banning Brash from speaking was an assault on free speech.

“This is, simply put, and assault on free-speech, a
dangerous precedent and revokes the right to students to hear a range of views
and make their own minds up,” student organisers said.

“You do not have to agree with everything that Don Brash
stands for to come along and show your support for free speech on our
university campuses.”

In a statement on its website, Massey University said
members of the politics society had approached university management after
becoming aware of social media posts suggesting the event could lead to
violence.

It said the risk to staff, students and members of the
public was too high at a time of greatened tensions over free speech and hate
speech.

The statement said Brash was founder of Hobson’s Pledge a
controversial lobby group and a supporter of right-wing Canadian speakers
Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, who were due to address a public meeting
in Auckland.

Massey University Students’ Association (MUSA) said it was
disappointed in the university’s decision to prevent Brash from speaking on
campus.

It said Brash was invited to speak as a part of the politics
society's ‘Past, Present, and Future Events’ about New Zealand Politics.

“Student safety is paramount, and from social media comments
there were safety concerns for the event. However, the Massey Manawatū Politics
Society (MMPS) did not have the option to discuss further security arrangements
before this decision to cancel was made by the university.

“Students and student clubs should have the opportunity to
engage in discussion and debate, respecting freedom of expression and the Human
Rights Act,” the association said.

In a statement, Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas, said she
supports free speech on campus, but totally opposes hate speech.

“Mr Brash’s leadership of Hobson’s Pledge and views he and
its supporters espoused in relation to Māori wards on councils was clearly of
concern to many staff, particularly Māori staff,” she said.

“Whether those views would have been repeated to students in
the context of a discussion about the National Party may seem unlikely, but I
have no way of knowing.

“In my opinion the views expressed by members of Hobson’s
Pledge come dangerously close to hate speech. They are certainly not conducive
with the University’ strategy of recognising the values of a Tiriti o
Waitangi-led organisation.”

Thomas said it was clear there was heightened sensitivity
and passion following the protests both against and in support of Southern and
Molyneux’s right to be heard.

“Our ultimate responsibility is for the safety and wellbeing
of students, staff and members of the public on our campuses and under those
circumstances cancelling the booking is the right thing to do.

“The members of the politics club have acted responsibly in
raising their concerns with the university and are free to meet Dr Brash at
another venue if they wish.”